China shows off newest weapons in military parade

A major military parade, part of the celebrations of the 90th anniversary of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), is being viewed as a pointed reminder of President Xi Jinping's firm grip on power.

This meeting came hours after United States President Donald Trump renewed his criticism over Beijing's failure to rein in North Korea and ahead of a key Communist Party meeting, where a major leadership reshuffle is expected.

The parade, presided by Jinping, marked the 90th anniversary of the PLA.

Jinping inspected 12,000 troops in various formations from an open-top military jeep.

More than 100 planes flew overhead and almost 600 types of weaponry were on display, according to the Defence Ministry.

Furthermore, Xi expressed his pride in the military and demanded the troops' continued "absolute loyalty" to the party, CNN reports.

"Troops across the entire military, you must be unwavering in upholding the bedrock principle of absolute party leadership of the military. Always obey and follow the party. Go and fight wherever the party points," Jinping said, as reported by the New York Times.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said the Zhurihe military base was selected to highlight the PLA's combat readiness.

North Korea had earlier tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and claimed it would reach all of the United States.

Trump has been, since then, pressing Beijing, Pyongyang's only major global ally that provides an economic lifeline to the regime, to use its leverage to make North Korea halt its nuclear and missile programme.